Man seriously hurt when struck by car while attempting to cross Route 125

Rescue personnel attend to a man who was struck by a car while attempting to cross Route 125 in Epping on Saturday night. (JASON SCHREIBER)

EPPING – A man was seriously injured Saturday night when he was struck by a vehicle while attempting to walk across Route 125 with an 11-year-old boy.

The accident happened around 7 p.m. near the entrance to McDonald’s.

Police said a preliminary investigation showed the man, identified as Robert Whiteside, 36, whose last known address was in Nashua, was crossing the four-lane highway when he was struck by a vehicle traveling northbound.

Witnesses at the scene said that Whiteside was seen walking around the McDonald's parking lot with a boy and was stumbling around before the accident.

Officer Jonathan Swift said alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor.

After spending a short time in the parking lot, Whiteside and the boy walked toward the McDonald’s entrance and then out onto the busy highway.

Swift said Whiteside was attempting to cross the highway to reach a vehicle he had been traveling in that broke down. Swift said police are investigating whether Whiteside had operated the vehicle.

Whiteside was struck in the middle of the highway by a vehicle driven by David Spingarn, 60, of Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Spingarn was not injured and immediately stopped to render aid, Swift said.

The boy also was not hurt. Several passersby rushed over to assist Whiteside until police and Epping rescue personnel arrived.

Swift said Whiteside suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Elliot Hospital in Manchester by Epping Ambulance. His condition wasn’t known Saturday night.

The accident remains under investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to call the Epping Police Department at 679-5122.